Year 3 Summary of NSF Project: Work-focused Experiential Learning to Increase STEM Student Retention and Graduation at Two-year Hispanic-serving Institutions

Project Overview

This NSF-supported initiative at Phoenix College aims to enhance STEM student retention and graduation rates by providing work-focused experiential learning opportunities, with a particular emphasis on Hispanic students. The project focuses on building cross-sector partnerships, engaging students in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and STEM work experiences, and expanding successful practices to other institutions.

Key Goals and Activities:

1. Establish Cross-sector Partnerships:

   • Developed a diverse team of faculty and staff trained in STEM Evidence-based Student-Serving (STEM-ESS) assessment.

   • Hosted the Future of Work Summit, engaging nearly 250 participants to discuss industry needs and foster collaborations.

   • Formed an IT Advisory Council with South Mountain and Gateway Community Colleges.

2. Engage Students in Work-focused Learning:

   • Created processes for student internships and externships, resulting in two initial internship opportunities within Phoenix College's IT group.

   • Hired a Work-based Experiences Coordinator to manage internships and externships and developed a Career Development Trajectory Checklist.

3. Expand STEM-ESS to Other Departments:

   • Planned to extend STEM-ESS practices to the Physical, Life, and Social Sciences departments at Phoenix College.

   • Documented best practices to be shared with other two-year Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).

4. Increase HSI Implementation of Evidence-based Practices:

   • Collected and analyzed data to support the intentional service of Latinx students, aiming to improve their success in STEM fields.

In the third year of the NSF-supported project at Phoenix College, significant strides have been made toward enhancing STEM student retention and graduation rates through work-focused experiential learning, especially targeting Hispanic students. This project has focused on building cross-sector partnerships, engaging students in real-world STEM experiences, and scaling successful practices to other institutions.

The project's first primary goal was to establish cross-sector partnerships. Throughout the year, Phoenix College collaborated with organizations like AZNext to leverage industry partners for internships and externships. A robust IT Advisory Council was established with South Mountain and Gateway Community Colleges, and the Future of Work Summit was hosted to foster industry collaboration and student opportunities, engaging nearly 250 participants. Additionally, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were secured with various partner organizations, formalizing these collaborations.

Engaging students in work-focused learning was another critical goal. Multiple work-based experience (WBE) pilots were conducted, including externships and internships. Students were provided hands-on experience through 8 internships and 20 externships in IT and cybersecurity. A comprehensive toolkit was developed to guide the process of externships and internships, covering recruitment protocols, interview templates, coaching tips, and payment processes. These efforts ensured that students gained meaningful real-world experience with companies such as PayPal, Accenture, and USAA, which exposed them to industry cultures and helped them develop critical workforce skills.

Faculty development was also a key focus, with the STEM-ESS model being expanded to other STEM departments at Phoenix College. Professional development workshops were offered, focusing on equity-minded teaching and inclusive pedagogy. Strategies were developed for faculty to implement inclusive teaching practices and actively recruit underrepresented students in STEM. This included creating an e-portfolio project for students to highlight their achievements and improve their job market readiness.

Another important goal was scaling the model to additional two-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the region. The project hosted events such as the Future of Work Summit to foster industry collaboration and student opportunities, which helped expand the work-focused experiential learning model to other institutions.

The project achieved significant accomplishments and impacts throughout the year. Internships and externships were completed, with positive student feedback regarding their experiences and skill development. These work experiences covered cloud computing, cybersecurity, and web development. Faculty and staff participated in workshops on inclusive teaching practices and cybersecurity, which helped them better support their students.

Community and industry engagement was another area where the project excelled. Various summits and events were hosted to discuss industry needs and student opportunities. Collaboration with organizations like the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Black Chamber of Arizona, the City of Phoenix, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council provided students with meaningful work experiences.

Addressing equity and inclusion challenges was a significant focus. The project identified challenges in recruiting, onboarding, and supporting diverse students. A draft playbook was developed to guide equity and inclusion efforts, and culturally responsive onboarding approaches and activities were implemented to enhance student engagement and self-efficacy.

Despite the successes, the project faced several challenges. COVID-19 restrictions necessitated shifting to virtual learning environments, delaying some planned activities. Administrative delays and issues in establishing formal agreements also posed difficulties in starting planned internships. Additionally, there were delays in faculty payment processes and problems with district-level partnership agreements.

The project plans to expand the number of internships and externships at Phoenix College and partner institutions. Additional colleges will be integrated into the project, and lessons learned will be shared. A website will highlight internship and externship opportunities, connecting students to jobs through platforms like Pipeline AZ. Continued professional development for faculty will focus on serving Hispanic students and implementing inclusive teaching practices.

In conclusion, the project's third year has made significant progress in fostering cross-sector partnerships, engaging students in meaningful work experiences, and promoting inclusive practices among faculty. These efforts aim to increase retention and success in STEM fields, particularly for Hispanic students at two-year HSIs. The framework developed through this project is being scaled to other institutions, creating a replicable model for enhancing STEM education and career pathways. This initiative represents a significant step towards empowering underrepresented students in STEM, providing them with the skills, experiences, and support necessary for successful careers. Through continued collaboration and commitment, the project aims to create lasting impacts on student success and workforce readiness.